July 6, 2010 - 7/6/2010 ~ Pounds to Rubles ~ Mickey invades the Baltic Sea

[OurDogCisco]

The other thing is that we have to pay in Cash. They accept Euros, USD or Rubles. Bills must be new. That's a lot of cash to carry around.

Tina

 

[OurDogCisco]

Any one know the answer to this? If you can't take Rubles out of Russia-how do you buy rubles to make small purchases in Russia?

From reading some of the tour guides information it sounds like you can pay in USD or Euros. The bills must be new though. I guess... the hard part would be trying to figure out how much you want to spend extra.

 

[goingsouth]

Doesn't Denrus let you use a credit card?

I'm nervous about taking so much cash as well.



Joanne

 

[mom_rules]

So, I found out today that Hermitage is closed on Monday, Catherine's palace is closed on Tuesday. We are in St. Petersburg on Mon & Tuesday. Also, the tour guide said that I'd have to cut something out since we arrive so late on Monday. Anyways... still trying to decide..

Tina

This looks like its going to take some major organization if we want to see these places? I'm guessing the "Ball" will be Monday night?

 

[sshaw10060]

So, I found out today that Hermitage is closed on Monday, Catherine's palace is closed on Tuesday. We are in St. Petersburg on Mon & Tuesday. Also, the tour guide said that I'd have to cut something out since we arrive so late on Monday. Anyways... still trying to decide..

Tina

Why are we arriving so late? It seems a little weird we are missing 1/2 a day in the most popular port of the cruise.

 

[slg]

Is anyone flying into Gatwick airport? How are you planning on getting to Dover?

I would like to book a private transfer and need the name of a company I can book on-line and trust.

I really have no experience doing this and don't want to book and pay for a company that doesn't exist.

Any help appreciated.

 

[OurDogCisco]

Is anyone flying into Gatwick airport? How are you planning on getting to Dover?

I would like to book a private transfer and need the name of a company I can book on-line and trust.

I really have no experience doing this and don't want to book and pay for a company that doesn't exist.

Any help appreciated.

We are using Woodford http://www.woodfordchauffeurcars.co.uk/ I did book things online with them but you pay at the end of each trip leg. So, I'll be paying once from the airport to the hotel. Again from the hotel to the port and then, again from port to airport. They separated each part out. Now, you still have worry about no shows. You can go to cruise critic you'll find other recommendations as well.

 

[slg]

Did you have to give them your credit card on-line to hold the booking?

 

[OurDogCisco]

Did you have to give them your credit card on-line to hold the booking?

No... Actually if you want to pay via credit card it was like a 5% extra charge. So, we'll be paying in cash. But I figured if we run out of cash we'll have the option to charge.

 

[slg]

Okay that's good to know. I don't like the idea of putting my credit card online for a company I don't know.

I can always bring money from home.

 

[goingsouth]

Did you know the sunrise and sunset times for St Petersburg during our visit?

Jul 12, 2010 4:57 AM 11:10 PM
Jul 13, 2010 4:59 AM 11:08 PM

I think that's amazing.


Joanne

 

[mom_rules]

What time do we arrive in St. Petersburg?

 

[goingsouth]

What time do we arrive in St. Petersburg?

according to the Disney website, it's 12:30pm arrival on day 1
we leave the next night at 11:00pm.

so, 1 and 1/2 days, roughly.

Joanne

 

[mom_rules]

Does somewhat limit the sight seeing-snxiously awaiting excursion costs here....

 

[OurDogCisco]

Does somewhat limit the sight seeing-snxiously awaiting excursion costs here....

I think it does. I got quoted $1182 for 4 (2 kids and 2 adults) with one tour company and 1600 with the other. That's for 1 1/2 days touring. Both said that it does limit your day a bit. I did e-mail back asking if museums are open later and they are so, I'm gonna try for a longer day the 1st day. Also, you should note that Hermitage is closed on Monday, Catherine's palace is closed on Tuesday. Two major attractions for the area. The more expensive touring company put in more attractions and made the day longer. I'll have to ask the 1st company to revise for the day to be longer to see if we can see more sites.

 

[OurDogCisco]

Did you know the sunrise and sunset times for St Petersburg during our visit?

Jul 12, 2010 4:57 AM 11:10 PM
Jul 13, 2010 4:59 AM 11:08 PM

I think that's amazing.


Joanne

I know.. that's gonna be my favorite part of the whole cruise. The day light. We get dark here in the summer around 9 pm.

 

[DW2DH&DS]

OK...Here goes...

We are a family of 3. Our awesome DS Jack is 8 years old...8 1/2 by cruise time. We are interested in maybe joining another family or two with kids (or no kids...doesn't matter) around Jack's age for a private tour of St. Petersburg. We are very serious about going private as we feel we will absolutely see more than what DCL is offering!!!

Our list of interests and must sees include the following...

The Hermitage of course
The Savior of the Spilt Blood
The metro and the mosaics
Catherine’s Palace (amber room)
canal tour
Nevsky Prospekt
St. Isaac's Square and cathedral
Palace Square and Alexander column
Peterhof and hydrofoil ride
Flea market and farmers market???maybe
An authentic Russian meal

That being said, if anyone is interested in forming a small group, please PM me.

 

[denise]

OK...Here goes...

We are a family of 3. Our awesome DS Jack is 8 years old...8 1/2 by cruise time. We are interested in maybe joining another family or two with kids (or no kids...doesn't matter) around Jack's age for a private tour of St. Petersburg. We are very serious about going private as we feel we will absolutely see more than what DCL is offering!!!

Our list of interests and must sees include the following...

The Hermitage of course
The Savior of the Spilt Blood
The metro and the mosaics
Catherine’s Palace (amber room)
canal tour
Nevsky Prospekt
St. Isaac's Square and cathedral
Palace Square and Alexander column
Peterhof and hydrofoil ride
Flea market and farmers market???maybe
An authentic Russian meal

That being said, if anyone is interested in forming a small group, please PM me.

So Beth...will the private tour give you ALL this?
I read about the Disney tour that just goes by the The Savior of the Spilled Blood. It doesn't say it goes inside at all. I really, really want to go inside. I want to see the Icons inside. We are Greek Orthodox and it would be so wonderful to see them.

We are shocked by the prices so far for private tours. The med was nothing like this for private tours.....

Berlin I think we will just do Disney's transportation and then do the "on your own" thing...

I really need to sit down and look at each excursion...

 

[DW2DH&DS]

So Beth...will the private tour give you ALL this?
I read about the Disney tour that just goes by the The Savior of the Spilled Blood. It doesn't say it goes inside at all. I really, really want to go inside. I want to see the Icons inside. We are Greek Orthodox and it would be so wonderful to see them.

We are shocked by the prices so far for private tours. The med was nothing like this for private tours.....

Berlin I think we will just do Disney's transportation and then do the "on your own" thing...

I really need to sit down and look at each excursion...

yep, mostly. i would substitute peter and paul to have more shopping and see nevsky prospekt and to make sure we get some time in palace square.
monday: catherine's palace, metro ride, savior of spilt blood (yes..inside) and boat trip... back to ship at 8pm
tuesdayeterhof, hydrofoil, hermitage, peter &paul st isaacs and shopping...back to ship at 7

plenty of time to fine tune as well as receive other quotes and compare. let the games begin!!! we also want to see if we cant get an early admission into the hermitage...worth the extra $$ especially since it is closed on monday...all ships in port are gonna try to get in on tuesday!!!

 

[goingsouth]

Beth-

I love your itinerary. I don't think your son would vote for 12 and 13 year old girls as good company. I heard back from Denrus today and they gave me 3 options, none of which include Catherine's Palace..
I sent them back another email asking if there was any way they could add it.
We'll see. I'm hopeful!


Joanne